Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. (Proverbs 16:32) For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife. (Proverbs 30:33) Fred (not his real name) was a professional associate in Christian service …
Continue reading “22220.003 Anger: The Nuclear Emotion…with Huge Fallout”
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. (Proverbs 12:19) A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. (Proverbs 21:6) “Inhale. Lie. Exhale. Lie.” This was the title of a front-page article by David Shaw in the Los Angeles Times about the chronic lying …
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts. (Proverbs 18:8) A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends. (Proverbs 16:28) It was the perfect setup—described in Judges 3. Ehud gets permission to have an audience with Eglon, King of Moab, on a …
The corrections of discipline are the way of life. (Proverbs 6:23) A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool. (Proverbs 17:10) My godly father had a slogan on the wall of his den that said, “It’s better to give someone a piece of your heart than a piece of …
Continue reading “22220.006 Reproof: A Building Block for Character”
Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult. (Proverbs 9:7) A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. (Proverbs 12:16) As a 27-year-old college president with no little arrogance and a lot to learn, I got a lot of insulting—and often anonymous—letters. Since my godly father always taught me, “Don’t ever …
Continue reading “22220.007 Insults and Curses: Unsolicited Instruction”
My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. (Proverbs 5:1-2) He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. (Proverbs 15:31) People from other cultures have one devastating observation about Americans—we are lousy …
Continue reading “22220.008 Listening: God’s Channel for Personal Growth”
Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. (Proverbs 22:10) The eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, will be pecked out by the ravens…will be eaten by the vultures. (Proverbs 30:17) What an embarrassment it was to discover that the book of Proverbs had a …
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30) False are charms and vain is the beauty of woman; for a prudent woman is blessed. Let her praise the fear of the Lord. (Proverbs 31:30, Septuagint) Ah, Hollywood and the media biz. Is it …
The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases. (Proverbs 21:1) “I just can’t figure out where he’s coming from.” “The two of us just can’t seem to get on the same page.” “The way she thinks…it’s so weird that I just can’t seem to …
By me [Wisdom] princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. (Proverbs 8:16) The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth should not betray justice. (Proverbs 16:10) All professionals recognize that people at the top of their industries possess significant power and influence. Stories of the use and misuse of …